Syracuse basketball might have an additional regular-season game in the 2026-27 season.
CBS Sports senior writer Matt Norlander, among others, recently reported that the NCAA Division I Council has approved an increase from 31 to 32 contests beginning in 2026-27. Fun.
Norlander points out that college teams don't have to play 32 encounters, but they will have the option to do so. My assumption is that this extra game would be of the non-conference variety, rather than a league affair.
As I've discussed in several recent columns, Atlantic Coast Conference officials for the 2025-26 season decided to increase the number of non-conference games for its members, from 11 to 13, while lowering the numer of conference clashes, from 20 to 18.
News: College basketball's regular season is expanding.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) June 25, 2025
The change will be made official later this afternoon, barring an extremely unlikely motion to reverse legislation, sources tell @CBSSports.
Story: https://t.co/gCQCYNi7ea
The reasoning behind this is to, hopefully, enable ACC schools to schedule more high-profile non-conference contests. Now, in 2026-27, Syracuse basketball could end up with 14 non-conference games, before the ACC Tournament and possible NCAA Tournament or NIT participation.
One of the main facets of the decision to expand to 32 regular-season games centers around multi-team events ("MTEs"). For example, this November, the Orange will suit up in the NIL-driven Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, and the 'Cuse is expected to have three games there.
With the extra regular-season game, an MTE such as the Players Era Festival could grow from three to four contests for each participant. Or, Syracuse basketball could look to schedule an enticing neutral-site affair before ACC play begins, or even amid conference competition in January or February.
My top candidates to face Syracuse basketball in the extra 2026-27 non-conference game.
Big East flavor
An obvious choice would be to link up with a former Big East Conference foe. At the top of my list would be Rick Pitino-led St. John's, followed by UConn and then Villanova.
The American and the Atlantic 10
Memphis out of the American Athletic Conference would be cool, or perhaps a talented Atlantic 10 Conference group such as VCU or George Mason, which is in my hometown DMV.
Lots of Big 12 options
The Big 12 Conference is loaded with powerhouse programs, such as Houston, Kansas, Arizona, Iowa State, Baylor and BYU, but let's look at a match-up with Utah, whose roster includes former Syracuse basketball guard Elijah Moore.
Sparty or the Terps
In the Big Ten Conference, I'm such a huge fan of Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, so a battle with the Spartans could be awesome. Personally, I'd love to see the Orange play my hometown Maryland Terrapins, which is now led by former Marquette, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams.
The loaded SEC
The Southeastern Conference had a historic 2024-25, with Auburn making the Final Four, and Florida cutting down the nets. Syracuse basketball playing either of those schools is enticing, or how about Alabama, which is led by former Buffalo boss Nate Oats, or Kentucky, where former 'Cuse star Jason Hart is an assistant coach?
West Coast elite
If we're looking at the West Coast Conference, the cream of the crop entails Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. Either would prove a juicy match-up. Syracuse basketball has played Gonzaga just three times, and I don't believe the Orange has ever squared off with Saint Mary's.